The Housing Opportunity Program (HOP) provides Mobility
Counseling to assist Housing Choice Voucher Program families use
their voucher to find and move into quality housing in top-rated
communities throughout the Philadelphia region.

Don't delay. Call (215) 684-4050 now to schedule an appointment
with a housing counselor.

Housing Matters.
Where you live matters. It can determine your family's health,
income and the quality of your child's education.

With this in mind, your next move can be one of the most
important decisions of your life. Choose wisely.

First, avoid the temptation to move down the street or around
the corner or to "settle" for the first unit that passes
inspection. Instead, sit down and make a list of things that really
matter to you and then make a commitment to find housing in a
community that not just meets your needs, but exceeds your
expectations.

Community Matters.
The second step is the hardest. You'll have to explore lots of
different housing options--and in different communities. That is
where the Housing Opportunity Program (HOP) can help.

Quality Matters.
Opportunity Areas represent some of the best communities in
Philadelphia and the surrounding counties in Southeastern
Pennsylvania.

In general, Opportunity Areas are family-friendly communities
with good schools, safe neighborhoods, good job availability and a
diverse population.

These communities offer a wide variety of choice in terms of
location, types of housing, services and amenities. For these
reasons alone, it makes sense to include Opportunity Areas in your
housing search.

Information Matters.
Finding the right house in the right community can be daunting. To
be successful you have to do your homework. HOP helps in two
ways.

First, families enrolled in the program are assigned a housing
counselor. The housing counselor will serve as your resource and
your advocate, supporting you before, during and after you move to
an Opportunity Area. Your housing counselor will help you develop
an action plan, provide housing referrals, and introductions to
landlords with housing for rent in Opportunity Areas.

Second, families receive mandatory landlord/tenant
training. By the time you begin your search, you will have
the information and support you need to be able to find a house or
apartment that you will cherish.

Moving Matters.
We'll be with you every step of the way.

The Housing Opportunity Program is like having your very own
real estate broker-but better. But that is only the
beginning. Following are some of the benefits of enrolling in
HOP.

Free Credit Report.
A free credit report is standard. This allows you to "know where
you stand" before you start your search for housing. And if there
are problems, your housing counselor can assist you in getting
credit counseling.

Search Assistance.
Your counselor has established relationships with landlords. As a
HOP participant, you will have the opportunity to view units for
rent and meet with owners who want to rent to families with
vouchers.

Information and Resources.
As a participant in HOP, you will also receive tools and
information that empower you to be a smart consumer. This includes
a resource guide and mandatory workshops that cover household
budgeting and landlord/tenant rights. Workshop participants learn
strategies to make good choices about where to live and how to be
the type of tenant that landlords value. Topics include:
- The kinds of questions to ask prospective landlords
- Your rights regarding security deposits
- What to do if you're denied housing based on your race or
because you have children
- How to negotiate a lease

Post-Move Support.
This is perhaps the most attractive feature of the program. After
you move to an Opportunity Area, you're not alone. HOP will
be there for you for up to one year. Your counselor will link
you with resources and services that will help you get settled and
thrive in your new home and your new community.

The Fine Print.

You might be wondering, "What's the Catch?" Here it is. It is
not easy to move to a new community, but nothing worthwhile ever
is.

The program is open current HCV Program Participants, new
admissions and families porting-in from another Housing
Authority. To qualify, you must also be in good standing with
the program and currently live in a traditional neighborhood. Once
enrolled, you will be expected to make a concerted effort to move
to an Opportunity Area. This means taking advantage of HOP services
and actively searching for housing in Opportunity Areas on your
own.